Is Runs His Horse Dead? Did Michael Spears Leave 1923?

When Teonna Rainwater ends up on the run from the authorities in Paramount+’s Western drama ‘1923,’ her father, Runs His Horse, puts his life on the line to protect his daughter. He relies on his experiences and wisdom to stay away from Marshal Kent and Father Renaud, who get closer to their target in the second half of the show’s second season. In the sixth episode of the installment, the Native American leader tries to find relief in the death of the marshal who had been after his daughter, but the peace he attains only lasts a short while! SPOILERS AHEAD.

Father Renaud Kills Runs His Horse to Protect Himself

Throughout a major portion of the second season of ‘1923,’ Runs His Horse succeeds in staying away from the officials who are after his daughter, Teonna Rainwater. His knowledge about the land and the predictable actions of the men who chase his child help him remain hidden from Marshal Kent and Father Renaud. However, the death of Pete Plenty Clouds, the boyfriend of his daughter, turns his life around. He gets forced to come out of hiding to discover what happened to the boy who has risked his life for the father and child. Runs His Horse and Teonna soon find the dead body of their loved one near the lifeless Kent.

For the first time after reuniting with Teonna, Runs His Horse lets his guard down after seeing Marshal Kent’s dead body. He starts to believe that he and his daughter are no longer under threat, which makes him remain at the same site to spend the night. Since he cannot bury Pete in the middle of a desert as a nobody, he may have forced himself to stay at the spot for the time being. These actions end up threatening his life. He does not remember that the marshal hadn’t been looking for his daughter on his own, which is why the Native American leader does not become cautious about Father Renaud.

By the time Runs His Horse becomes aware of a looming threat, it is too late. In the middle of the night, he wakes up and realizes that someone is present in the region. Even though he soon spots Renaud and takes Kent’s gun to kill the priest, the latter gets the better of the Native American leader. The Christian missionary shoots down Runs His Horse before the latter can fire the gun, ensuring his death. A short while after this face-off, Teonna tries to wake up her father but soon realizes that he is no longer alive.

Runs His Horse’s Demise Seemingly Confirms Michael Spears’ Exit From 1923

‘1923’ is no stranger to startling deaths. The show has terrorized the viewers with the demises of characters such as John Dutton Sr. and Emma Dutton in the first season. These affecting plot developments have paved the way for the exits of the respective cast members who brought these characters to life. We do not expect Michael Spears’ case to be any different. Although neither the actor nor Paramount+ has officially released a statement confirming his departure from the Western drama, it is safe to assume that Spears’ last appearance in the show is in the second season’s sixth episode.

Runs His Horse’s death is integral to the narrative of ‘1923’ in many ways. First of all, it raises the stakes in Teonna’s storyline ahead of the second season finale. Until this penultimate episode of the sophomore installment, the Native American girl falls back on her father to escape from the harshness of life in a country where her community is repeatedly targeted. His presence comforts and protects her from unfavorable consequences, but because of his death, her future becomes alarming. Using Runs His Horse’s death, Taylor Sheridan puts Teonna in a position where she has to try her very best to ensure her survival.

In the second season finale, we may witness how Teonna navigates her life through the demise of Runs His Horse to protect herself. The episode may also reveal how she is connected to Chief Thomas Rainwater, the leader of the Broken Rock Reservation in the mothership series ‘Yellowstone.’ Since she is forced to fight for herself on her own in the absence of her father, her storyline has become more emotionally affecting, enhancing the overall narrative of the Western drama.